Overview
- TV coverage begins at noon ET on FOX with the green flag scheduled for 12:29 p.m., with streaming available via FOX platforms and services such as Fubo.
- Scott McLaughlin starts first for Team Penske, with Marcus Ericsson second, rookie Dennis Hauger third, Álex Palou fourth, David Malukas fifth and Romain Grosjean sixth.
- Team Penske shows mixed form entering the opener as Josef Newgarden lines up 23rd while McLaughlin benefits from weekend guidance by Tim Cindric and new engineer Raul Prados.
- For 2026, teams must use at least two sets of softer red tires and at least one set of primary tires, a change drivers expect to assess further in race-day warmup.
- Every 2026 INDYCAR race airs live on FOX, including the Indianapolis 500 on May 24, with an expanded calendar that adds the Freedom 250 on the streets of Washington, D.C.